Benzema keen to stay at Lyon

Karim Benzema's agent has reiterated his client's intention to remain at Lyon for another season.

Speculation regarding an imminent move to Manchester United has intensified of late, with the Red Devils keen to bolster their attacking options.

With Cristiano Ronaldo on his way to Real Madrid, and with Carlos Tevez unwilling to stay at the club, Sir Alex Ferguson had indentified Benzema as a top target.

United have money spend, and Lyon president Jen-Michel Aulas has conceded that a big offer could force the French club's hand, but the striker's agent claims United would find it difficult to sign the 21-year-old.

With the 2010 World Cup finals weighing on the mind of Europe's top talents, Karim Djaziri has revealed that Benzema feels his preparations for that tournament would be better served by spending another season in France.

"Karim is on holiday at the moment and he is not thinking of moving," he said.

"He wants to stay in France for another year so that he can prepare for the World Cup and I think that Sir Alex knows this.

"Perhaps he wants to make an offer to Lyon. If that happens, then Karim will think about it, but as things stand, Karim wants to stay with Lyon for another year."

Meanwhile, AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has said the Serie A club is open to offers for Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.

"If there's an offer, it should be considered," the Italian Premier was quoted as saying by today's La Gazzetta dello Sportwhen asked about Pirlo, amid speculation he could join former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.

"We'll see. I was the first to say that he must stay, but then they showed me the sums (for his salary)."

The seven-times European champions had previously said no more big names would move on after they sold Brazil playmaker Kaka to Real Madrid for a fee of around €68million, earlier this month.